Zimbabwe’s agricultural authorities are ramping up border surveillance and may introduce livestock restrictions following a surge of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Mangwe district and neighbouring countries, a senior government official said.
The move comes as regional outbreaks threaten Zimbabwe’s cattle industry, which is a key source of livelihood for thousands of farmers. Authorities warn that without strict control measures, the disease can spread quickly across borders, affecting trade and food security.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Secretary Obert Jiri said while the local situation remained stable, the regional context is “very tense”. He cited significant FMD outbreaks in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia as the primary concern.
“There is an upsurge of foot-and-mouth disease in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia. That means we must be more vigilant to ensure the situation does not deteriorate in our country,” he said in a statement.
Jiri said authorities were also contending with seasonal tick-borne diseases, including January Disease (theileriosis), which historically caused heavy losses in Zimbabwe’s cattle herd.
Approximately 500 000 cattle were infected during the 2017 outbreak.
“Those scares across our borders really need us to be more vigilant. We are busy watching that to ensure that we don't get an upsurge,” Jiri said.
“January disease really devastated our cattle herd in 2017, when we lost over half a million cattle. Since then, we have implemented various interventions and deaths have been reduced to very minimal levels.”
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He said the government and the Veterinary Services Department had rolled out a locally developed vaccine, alongside strengthened tick control measures, to curb infections.
Central to this strategy is the 5-5-4 dipping regime, which requires cattle to be dipped weekly during high-risk periods to control tick population.
Jiri confirmed a localised FMD outbreak in Mangwe district, Matabeleland South province, which was traced to a stray buffalo and is now under control.
He said concerted effort had led to a reduction in fatalities caused by January
Disease.
Authorities are increasing border surveillance and may soon issue additional guidance to farmers and livestock traders to prevent cross-border spread.
Jiri said while the regional disease landscape was tense, Zimbabwe’s veterinary services was working to maintain control.
